New Jersey Devils: Corey Perry Is An Interesting Option
By Nick Villano
New reports say that Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry might get bought out. If that happens, the New Jersey Devils should kick the tires on him.
In a somewhat surprising report, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry is on his way out. He says that the Ducks are looking for a trade, but if they can’t find one that works they will buy out his contract. This is where the New Jersey Devils should swoop in.
Corey Perry’s buyout would save the Ducks $6 million this season, and would only be hit with a $2 million penalty in 2021 and 2022. It seems like it might be worth it if the Ducks are looking to make the most of the prime of John Gibson.
There’s zero reason for the Devils to even think about a trade for Perry. His cap hit is $8.65 million over the next two seasons. There’s zero reason the Devils should consider that, especially with Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall extensions coming. Then, on top of it, they would trade assets for him? That option is off the table.
However, if the Ducks buy him out, the Devils might be an intriguing option for Perry at this point in his career.
Obviously, most of you won’t like this option, but give it a chance.
Perry will never be the player he once was. Injuries have done major damage to his body, and he just doesn’t have the skills he once did. However, at 34 years old he could still provide something. He will cost very little after getting his buyout money, and he provides a veteran presence that can still play on a second line.
Yes, injuries are a major concern, but we are just two seasons removed from him playing two straight 82-game seasons. This was a player that stayed mostly healthy throughout his career, but has hit a rough patch over the last two seasons. He missed five months this season after undergoing knee surgery in September.
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He returned to action in February, but the Ducks were already basically out of the playoff race at that point. Despite Gibson’s attempted Godly effort, this team was just plain bad. Perry’s performance didn’t help.
He scored just four points in his first month back. Clearly, he wasn’t the same player. He was still playing on one leg, and he probably won’t be fully healthy until sometime this offseason.
That might be why the Devils should take a chance on this guy. What’s he going to command this offseason, a one or two year deal paying him $2 million? That’s easy money for the Devils. The pitch is easy too. Perry gets to play with Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes or Travis Zajac, all three who will make him look really good in different ways.
Perry is still a 50-point player. That might not sound like a lot, but that would be tied for the team lead last season. Kyle Palmieri was the only Devils player to score 50 points. Sure, that’s because just about every player on the roster got hurt, but the point remains.
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Perry could come in and play on a line with Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes. These two kids grew up watching Perry dazzle the league. When he won his Hart Trophy, Bratt was 12 years old and Hughes was 10. They look up to this player, and it could help to spend that first year playing with him. Think about how great it was for Sidney Crosby to spend that first year with a broken down Mario Lemieux. He was nowhere near the player he used to be, but he was an icon.
Perry should not be the Devils only offseason acquisition, but he should be on their radar. He can still go when healthy, and if he gets hurt again it was a one-season flier.